Rep. Ron Paul, father of the senator-elect from Kentucky with the same last name, has endorsed Rep. Jeb Hensarling for chairman of the House Republican Conference.

In a brief statement released on congressional stationary, Paul noted that he and Hensarling share Texas roots and said he endorsed Hensarling who has “a unique opportunity to guide the conference to support concrete legislation that reduces the size and scope of the federal government.”

Hensarling is the favorite to succeed Rep. Mike Pence, the Indiana Republican who is leaving the post in a move widely thought to be a step towards his seeking either the Indiana governorship or perhaps mount a bid for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. Pence has endorsed Hensarling, as has House Budget Committee Chairman-to-be Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas.